9 Jul 2026·Northern Ireland Office·Pending
AskedIf he will have discussions with the Government of the Irish Republic on potential entitlement of victims of violence from Northern Ireland to compensation from that State as a result of collusion between illegal paramilitary groups and the legitimate forces of the Irish Republic.
7 Jul 2026·Northern Ireland Office·Pending
AskedWhen he expects to receive a final report from the Robert Hamill Inquiry.
1 Jul 2026·Northern Ireland Office·Pending
AskedWhat discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues since January 2026 on ensuring that Northern Ireland consumers are not disadvantaged regarding online sales from GB based businesses.
2 Jun 2026·Northern Ireland Office·Answered
AskedIf he will hold discussions with the Treasury on the potential merits of providing additional funding for the Connect Fund for the 2027-2029 period
ReplyThe Connect Fund has achieved significant success, as evidenced by its oversubscription in every funding round held to date. Consequently, a total of 46 projects were supported through Rounds 1 and 2. To address this sustained demand, the Northern Ireland...
20 May 2026·Northern Ireland Office·Answered
AskedWhat discussions he has had with the Connect Fund on assessing the (a) application and (b) success rates for those applying to that fund from beyond the Greater Belfast area.
ReplyThe Northern Ireland Office Connect Fund welcomes applications from the voluntary and community sector, civic society and national representative bodies across Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Geographical application and success rates are reviewed as ...
19 Mar 2026·Northern Ireland Office·Answered
AskedPursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 120605 on Northern Ireland Executive, if he will hold discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive about funding of Ulster University campus locations at (i) Coleraine and (ii) Belfast following the E-DATA project announcement.
ReplyWhile the funding and strategic oversight of the higher education sector are devolved matters for the Northern Ireland Executive, the UK Government remains committed to the delivery of the Derry/Londonderry and Strabane City Region City Deal. Through this City Deal, the UK Government is investing £105 million to support regional growth, which includes funding for the School of Medicine at Ulster University’s Magee Campus. We will continue to work with the Northern Ireland Executive and other partners on the progression of this City Deal and the PEACEPLUS programme to ensure these investments benefit the wider region.
13 Mar 2026·Northern Ireland Office·Answered
AskedIf he will hold discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on the potential impact of the (a) E‑DATA project in Londonderry and (b) Executive funding for the Magee campus on the Ulster University campus locations at (i) Coleraine and (ii) Belfast.
ReplyThe E-DATA project is the recipient of funding through the PEACEPLUS programme, into which the UK Government is investing £730 million. We will continue to work with the Northern Ireland Executive and other partners on the delivery and impact of the project as it progresses. The UK Government is investing £105 million to the Derry/Londonderry and Strabane City Region City Deal, which includes funding for the School of Medicine at Ulster University’s Magee Campus. I will continue to work closely with the Northern Ireland Executive on the delivery of this project.
10 Mar 2026·Northern Ireland Office·Answered
AskedWhether he has had discussions with the Northern Ireland Justice Minister on possible changes to classifications and statutory sentencing in drugs misuse policy.
ReplyI have not had any such discussions.Drug classification and the supporting legal framework remains a reserved power, primarily managed through the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. This is the responsibility of the Home Office.
26 Feb 2026·Northern Ireland Office·Answered
AskedWhat discussions he has had with InterTrade UK on the support his Department is able to provide on the (a) operations and (b) objectives of that body.
ReplyI engage regularly with Intertrade UK, most recently when I met its Chair Baroness Foster in January at the East-West Council in Belfast, where I heard an update on Intertrade UK’s work to date and its future plans.The Northern Ireland Office provides secretariat support for Intertrade UK, as set out in its terms of reference, which are publicly available alongside the group’s work programme here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/intertrade-uk-terms-of-reference-and-work-programmeAt last year’s Autumn Budget, the Government allocated £2.25 million over the next three years to Intertrade UK to support implementation of its published work programme. This formed part of a wider £16.6m package to strengthen trade within the UK internal market.
25 Feb 2026·Northern Ireland Office·Answered
AskedIf he will hold discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on the funding implications of the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy announced in December 2025.
ReplyStrong transport connections are vital to strengthen links between communities and allow business to grow. I welcome the publication of the Rail Project Priorisation Strategy in December. Improved infrastructure in Northern Ireland will help support the Executive’s plans for economic growth and enable people to get to where they need to be. As transport, including railways, are devolved it is for the Northern Ireland Executive to determine their infrastructure investment priorities, within the record funding settlement for Northern Ireland announced by the Chancellor at the spending review.
13 Jan 2026·Northern Ireland Office·Answered
AskedPursuant to the Answer of 25 November 2025 to Question 92954 on Connect Fund: Northern Ireland, whether the unsuccessful applicants to the Connect Fund were offered a meeting to discuss their applications.
ReplyUnsuccessful Connect Fund applicants can request feedback on their applications, with the aim of supporting them to re-submit a successful application in a future round of the Connect Fund. The Northern Ireland Office is running roadshows across Northern Ireland, starting on 12 January and running until 19 January, to promote Year 2 of the Fund, which opened on 7 January and will close on 12 February. The roadshows offer guidance on applications and budget preparation, and provide an opportunity to receive advice on potential application ideas. Roadshow materials will be available on the Connect Fund's webpage in due course.
12 Jan 2026·Northern Ireland Office·Answered
AskedIf he will hold discussions with Londonderry and Strabane Council on potential support for programming at the Londonderry North Atlantic (DNA) Maritime Museum.
ReplyResponsibility for museums is a devolved matter and support for Northern Ireland’s museums is a matter for the Northern Ireland Communities Minister. I would therefore encourage Derry City and Strabane District Council to discuss support for the programming of the North Atlantic Maritime Museum in Derry/Londonderry with the Minister for Communities.
12 Jan 2026·Northern Ireland Office·Answered
AskedWhat discussions he has had with the (a) Northern Ireland Executive and (b) US Semiquincentennial Commission on how Northern Ireland’s status in the America250 programme will be used to promote economic opportunities in areas beyond the Greater Belfast area.
ReplyThe British Embassy in Washington DC is working with the Northern Ireland Bureau (the Northern Ireland Executive’s diplomatic mission to the US) regarding plans to celebrate the America250 commemoration and the economic opportunities for Northern Ireland within that.
6 Jan 2026·Northern Ireland Office·Answered
AskedPursuant to the Answer of 5 January 2026 to Question 100839, if he will make an estimate of the number of people who are likely to be eligible for the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme in Northern Ireland.
ReplyThe Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme is a devolved matter and is run by the Victim's Payment Board on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive. Matters of eligibility are for the Board.
17 Dec 2025·Northern Ireland Office·Answered
AskedWhat assessment has he made of the potential implications for his policies of the conclusions of the report by the Windsor Framework Independent Monitoring Panel, published on 5 December 2025, on Business friendly guidance on gov.uk.
ReplyThe Government considered the issues raised in the Independent Monitoring Panel’s report as part of its response to the Independent Review of the Windsor Framework. This includes a commitment to delivering an enhanced ‘one stop shop’ advice service for small businesses, beyond what is available on GOV.UK, and this is set out at Paragraph 50 of the Government’s response and thereafter. The Government’s response to the Review, and relevant issues raised in the Panel’s report, is available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-response-to-the-independent-review-of-the-windsor-framework
15 Dec 2025·Northern Ireland Office·Answered
AskedWhat steps he is taking to ensure that the Connect Fund reaches communities that have previously had lower application rates for grant funding across Northern Ireland.
ReplyThe £1m Connect Fund makes awards to strengthen civic ties between Northern Ireland and Great Britain across a range of sectors. I am encouraged by the high level of interest the Fund has received from community and voluntary groups to date. Early next year, a series of roadshows will be hosted across Northern Ireland, including areas with lower application rates, to advertise the Fund and support a broad geographical spread of applicants.
25 Nov 2025·Northern Ireland Office·Answered
AskedIf he will hold discussions with the International Road Transport Union on the extent of ongoing road haulage difficulties that exist for transportation of freight between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
ReplyI have met with a range of businesses and representative bodies, including those dealing with the movement of goods by road, and I remain committed to continuing this discussion. HM Revenue & Customs has also been engaging regularly with the International Road Transport Union, and their members directly, to provide bespoke support.
20 Nov 2025·Northern Ireland Office·Answered
AskedPursuant to the Answer of 16 October 2025 to Question 81262 on Connect Fund: Northern Ireland, how many of the 24 applications to the Connect Fund were successful.
ReplyThe Connect Fund has continued to receive a positive reaction from the voluntary and community sector and I am glad to see many innovative projects are already underway. In the August window, 24 applications were received with 11 of these subsequently awarded funding.
13 Oct 2025·Northern Ireland Office·Answered
AskedHow many applications were received for the first round of the Connect Fund.
ReplyThe Connect Fund has received a very positive reaction from the civic and voluntary sector and in its inaugural month received a total of 24 applications.
12 Sept 2025·Northern Ireland Office·Answered
AskedIf he will take steps with Intertrade UK to help (a) consumers and (b) businesses in Northern Ireland trade with businesses in Great Britain.
ReplyThe Government established Intertrade UK in February 2025, with a clear purpose to provide advice on and promote trade and investment across the UK. This is why Intertrade UK’s recently published Work Programme sets out how the body will advise on ways to support intra-UK trade by removing barriers to trade, promoting UK internal market opportunities, and enhancing infrastructure and connectivity. This includes, but will not be limited to, advice on ways to help consumers and businesses in Northern Ireland trade with businesses in Great Britain.